Changeable letter sign



Feb. 24, 1942. G, D ON 2,274,192

GHANGEABLE LETTER SIGN Filed Dec. 28, 1940 Patented Feb. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHANGEABLE LETTER SIGN George H. Dcaton, Oak Park, 111. Application December 28, 1940, Serial No. 372,149

5 Claims. (01. 40-140) 7 This invention relates to improvements in a changeable letter sign and more particularly to one for use as a grave marker or for use on a casket.

Various types of markers are in use today for temporarily marking graves or identifying caskets until more permanent markings, such as tombstones or slabs can be prepared. Most of these markers consist of an embossed plate that must be cast for individual use with consequent expense and delay in preparation. Some States require permanent identification plates for caskets and in those States delay is a factor in preparing these cast embossed plates for use. The cast plates used as grave markers are a total loss when replaced by more permanent markers and cannot be used except as scrap metal.

To overcome these objectionable features of the cast markers, certain changeable letter devices have been designed wherein a face plate has been provided with slots or grooves into which removable letters and numerals might be inserted to give a temporary name of a deceased person and the dates of birth and death. A backing plate was then secured thereto to hold the letters and numerals in place. While this was an advance it had the disadvantage that the letters and numerals were necessarily placed in the face plate while the plate was turned downwardly with theconsequent danger of misspelling or er,- ror in dates or the possibility of having the letters and numerals fall out if the plate were turned right side up for checking purposes. The work was therefore tedious and the old cast plate with its disadvantages was still used.

One object of this invention is to provide a grave or casket marker that may be used for temporary or permanent purposes and that will be relatively inexpensive and easily and quickly assembled for individual needs.

Another object is to provide a marker of this type that is dignified and will have all the permanent appearances and characteristics of a specially cast marker.

A further object is'to provide an embossed marker that maybe readily assembled with the letters and numerals in plain view.

A still further object is to provide a marker that may be easily disassembled and re-used with various letters and numerals.

Other objects will beapparent from an understanding of the specification and drawing hereto appended wherein one embodiment of the invention is disclosed and described for purposes of exemplification.

In the drawing:

Fig. I is a plan view of a backing plate with various character members in place;

- Fig. 2 is a plan view of the marker with the face plate in place over the backing plate;

Fig. 3 is a view in section, taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are views in elevation of various character members showing the widened base portions formed to underlie the interlocking slots of the face plate.

To accomplish these results I prefer to use a backing plate and a face plate complementarily grooved and slotted respectively to receive a series of embossed characters or indicia such as letters, numerals, spacers and symbols or the like in an interlocking relationship so that the embossed characters may extend through the slots above the surface of the face plate to give the appearance of an individually cast marker.

, The character members consist of a widened supporting base portion received flush with the surface of the supporting grooves in the backing plate with looking shoulders above which rise the main body of the characters terminating flush with the surface of the face plate and having the embossed characters rising thereabove as though rising from the face plate surface itself.

Preferably the face plate has a rear holding flange to receive the backing plate therewithin and an embossed frame forming a margin to confine the embossed characters and furnish a pleasing and finished appearance.

With reference to the drawing, it will be noted that there is a backing plate l0 having variously sized groove formations I I formed therein below its surface l2 to receive various characters and spacers used for identification purposes. A face plate l3 having interlocking slots l4 formed in a manner complementary to the grooves II and having a rearwardly extending marginal holding flange [5, receives the backing plate to secure characters and spacers confined therebetween in interlocked relationship. The facing plate surface IE may be decorated or plain, according to individual desires.

Character members I1 and spacer members l8 are formed with base portions 20 of a size to fit snugly within grooves ll. At a point flush with the backing plate surface and equal to the height of these grooves the members have set backs or are rabbeted to form locking shoulders 2|. The members I1 .and [8 then rise in. their main body portion to a height flush with the facing plate surface l6 and from this surface the embossed letters, numerals or symbols 22 extend outwardly through the slots l 4 and above the facing plate surface.

In width and length, the slots M are formed to fit snugly over the shoulders 2| of the base portions and against the main body portion. When the surface l6 and the surface of the spacers and members I! below the characters are given a roughened or pebbled appearance, the lines between the separate members I! and I8 and the surface l6 are scarcely discernible.

The marginal holding flange I5 may have lugs 23 formed therein and the backing plate may be notched as at 24 to receive these lugs. A supporting member 25 may then be secured to the lugs by bolts 26 and extend across the backing plate to hold the assembly together. The supporting member may be extended and sharpened at one end to form a stake for holding the marker in the ground.

To assemble this device the backing plate is laid before one with the groove portions up. Various character members I! and spacers H! are then chosen and inserted in the proper grooves so thateach of the grooves is entirely filled and the character members will not slide longitudinally of the grooves. The face plate is then placed face upward over the backing plate so that corresponding slots M are in alignment with corresponding backing plate groove formations l I and overlie shoulders 2| to lock the members I! and I8 securely in place. The assembly thus far described may then easily be picked up without danger of dropping out members I! and I8 and the stake member 25 laid over the backing plate and fastened to the lugs 23 of the facing plate by the bolts 26 to complete an assembly that may be readily disassembled and used again.

The embossed characters rising above the surfaces of the members I! and of the facing plate surface It give an appearance of permanency and dignity of cast figures not heretofore found in changeable signs of this character. The margin of the facing plate may be raised as at 21 to form a pleasing frame for the marker and each slot M may have the slightly embossed outline frame 28 for similar purposes, although these features may be dispensed with. Preferably the groove formations ll do not extend outwardly beyond the rear of the backing plate, as this might interfere with both appearance and with the locking function of the stake member. Should this be deemed necessary where a relatively thin backing plate is used, the groove formations should be balanced to form a proper bearing surface against which the stake member may lie.

Through use of the present invention a mortician may keep a relatively small number of markers on hand and may use them over again with less trouble and with a great saving in expense to himself and his clientele.

Various other modifications coming equally within the spirit of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a grave or casket marker, a backing plate having supporting groove formations therein below the normal surface thereof, character and spacer members having a main body portion outwardly shouldered to form a widened base portion within said groove formations, a face plate having interlocking slots corresponding to said groove formations superimposed over said backing plate and overlying the shouldered portion of said main body portions to form an interlock to hold the same in their groove formations, the main body portions of said members terminating flush with the surface of said face plate, embossed characters on said character members ex tending through and beyond said interlocking slots above the surface of said face plate, and means for securing said face plate to said backing plate to prevent substantial movement of said members.

2'. In a grave or casket marker, a backing plate having supporting groove formations therein, a face plate having interlocking slots substantially corresponding to said groove formations superimposed thereon, character and spacer members within said groove formations and: said interlocking slots, said members having widened base portions interfitting with said grooves and narrower body portions extending into said slots and terminating substantially flush with the surface of said face plate, said interlocking slots extending over said widened base portions to lock said members in said grooves, and embossed characters on said character members extending through said slots beyond the surface of said face plate.

3. In a grave or casket marker, a backing plate having supporting groove formations, separate shouldered character and spacer members mounted in said formations, and a face plate slotted to correspond to said formations overlying said backing plate and the shouldered portions of said members, said members terminating flush with the surface of said plate and being roughened to substantially conceal the lines of separation between separate members in a groove formation, said character members having embossed characters rising above their roughened surfaces.

4. In a grave or casket marker, a backing plate having a supporting groove formation therein, a plurality of character and spacer members arranged side by side in said formation, a face plate having complementary slotted portions superimposed on said backing plate and overlying portions of said members, said members terminating flush with the surface of said face plate, said character members having embossed characters extending through and beyond said slotted portions, and a supporting member attached to said face plate and overlying the backing plate to hold the same and said members together in interlocked relationship.

5. In a grave or casket marker, a slotted face plate, character and spacer members received in the slotted portions of said face plate and having widened portions underlying the same, a backing plate having supporting groove formations receiving the widened portions of said members and holding them against relative movement therein, said character members having. embossed characters formed thereon extending above the surface of said face plate, and

0 means for securing said face plate to said backing plate.

GEORGE H. DEATON. 

